A gap analysis is an activity designed to evaluate the existing system against the automotive requirements, identify the gaps, and develop an action plan to close those gaps so that the system then conforms.  Part of the activities of this gap analysis & planning would be spent in training in the requirements and the recommended actions.  A deliverable from the gap analysis would be a report showing strengths, weaknesses, and areas that need to be addressed.

The primary complaint of most organizations is lack of senior management support. This one to two hour management overview is designed to present to senior management the benefits of an improvement based ISO/TS 16949 management system. In fact, many of our companies do not call it a quality management system but rather a business management system. Once top management sees that this management system is actually geared toward improving competitive advantage, top management support is never an issue

Topics covered include:

• Why most organizations do not benefit from ISO/TS 16949
• How you can create an improvement-based system
• How your management system affects competitive advantage
• How to effectively manage top management objectives
• The Ten-Step approach Eagle Force Consulting uses to implement the system

This tool is designed to transform negative motivations into positive involvement of the entire management staff. By identifying why an organization is implementing a management system and defining what each member would like out of the effort not only gets everybody onboard but provides key design criteria for establishing a system that meets organizational needs.

A critical part of an improvement based system and required by ISO/TS 16949 is the identification of top management objectives. Many organizations struggle with driving the objectives down to the process level so that all the players understand what they must do to achieve the goal. This tool (Strategic Business Breakout) is designed to provide management with the methodology to manage this ongoing project.

The heart of the ISO/TS 16949 automotive management system is the process management approach. Previous versions of ISO 9000 were focused on a silo-approach which had major weaknesses. The identification of processes, their sequence and interaction, along with defining how a process is know to be effective is a key step in developing an ISO/TS 16949 compliant system. Eagle Force Consulting has developed an easy to use and encompassing tool to facilitate this effort.

To have a truly robust management system there needs to be a suitable documentation system. Documents need to be brief, to the point, applicable to the organization, and easy to understand and use. Eagle Force Consulting has developed templates along these lines to facilitate the development of a documented system. It is not necessary to re-invent the wheel.

A strong, solid internal audit program is essential to the development and continual growth of improvement-based ISO/TS 16949 management systems. Eagle Force Consulting has developed the premier internal auditor training course available. Most of the lessons are taught in a Socratic-style using actual case studies. Internal audits must evolve with the management system, with emphasis changing from documentation to implementation to effectiveness. Auditors in this course learn how to perform process-based internal audits in each of these phases. The automotive recommended Turtle methodology is incorporated into the course.

Eagle Force has a team of highly qualified automotive auditors that are also performing certification audits for registrars so they know exactly the kind of internal audit that is useful for your company.  Many organizations are finding it cost effective to contract out the internal audit function to Eagle Force.  For more information click here to go to our Internal Audit page (which we have to develop).

The Management Representative is not only the key person in maintaining an improvement-based ISO/TS 16949 management system, but also has the greatest opportunity within the organization to make a positive impact in the competitive advantage. One of Eagle Force’s primary objectives is to see that this person is a success. The Management Representative must effectively manage internal audits, corrective & preventive actions, document control, continual improvement, supplier development, and many other things such as interacting with senior management and every other level within the organization and frequently external parties as well.

Management Review, when done properly, will have dramatic positive effects on the organization. This is intended to be a top management meeting in which all management are interacting and involved. Eagle Force Consulting has developed methodologies to facilitate this dynamic management review.

Eagle Force Consulting has developed a highly effective Corrective and Preventive Action methodology. Effectiveness here is dependent upon identifying and addressing the actual root-cause. The best solution may not be eliminating the root-cause, but in interrupting the sequence. This Eagle Force's consulting methodology was developed by our president and patterned after the NSTB’s highly effective program.

Even though an organization may enjoy competitive advantage today, it must continue to improve or it will be out of business tomorrow. Eagle Force Consulting has developed a method for organizations to drive significant, measurable, and lasting improvements in areas of critical importance to senior management.

Many organizations are dependent on their suppliers in order to provide quality and on-time delivery. Eagle Force Consulting’s supplier development is founded on establishing mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers. This has resulted in shorter lead times, higher quality received, less inventory, and shorter cycle times.